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Family Adventure Holiday In Costa Rica

Towering volcanoes, long sandy beaches and unspoilt tropical rainforest are all part of this holiday to Costa Rica. Travelling from the Caribbean to the Pacific, we cruise through jungle waterways, discover forest trails, learn how to make chocolate and prepare a traditional meal. Search for exotic wildlife on an exciting journey through this diverse and friendly country.

Tour Highlights

Volcanoes - Discover active volcanoes and gigantic craters

Wildlife - Look out for some of the world's weirdest and most wonderful creatures, such as howler monkeys, sloths and beautifully-coloured birds

Monteverde - 'Fly' through the canopy of this cloud forest; Spot the famous quetzal bird

Itinerary

1

Join tour San Jose

After arriving in San Jose, we will check-in to our conveniently-located hotel which will be our base for the next two nights. San Jose lies in a fertile valley at an altitude of 1150 metres. Coffee and sugar cane are big industries here and coffee is even planted between new buildings and along the roadside on the outskirts of the city.

Overnight: Standard Hotel

Included Meals:
None

2

Trip to Volcan Poas National Park and city tour in San Jose

This morning, we take a short drive to Volcan Poas National Park, where the smoke from one of Costa Rica's most active volcanos rises majestically from the beautiful tropical rainforest. At almost a mile in diameter, the main crater is one of the largest in the world. The national park has many interesting trails which we can explore with one of these leading to a forest-fringed lake where fiery throated hummingbirds can be seen feeding on colourful flowers. Should weather conditions prevent a visit to the Poas Volcano, we may head up to Irazu - the tallest volcano in Costa Rica, from which it is possible to see both the Caribbean and the Pacific on a clear day. This afternoon, an orientation tour of San Jose will help us to gain a feel for the city centre and main sights, including the National Museum.

Overnight: Standard Hotel

Included Meals:
Breakfast

3

Drive to Turrialba via a visit to the colonial city of Cartago and a reptile park

This morning, a short drive takes us to Cartago, the old colonial capital that is situated at the foot of the Irazu Volcano. After exploring some of this interesting city, we head to Lankester Gardens where we can walk among an impressive collection of 3000 plant species. The garden is especially famous for the 800 species of orchids that bloom here. We continue our journey to the town of Turrialba which is famous for its lush natural beauty and where we will spend the next two nights. Its fertile land makes it an important agricultural region for coffee, sugar and Macadamia nuts, with its cheese being popular throughout the country. On arrival, there is the option to visit the remarkable serpentarium where you can see Costa Rica's most venomous snakes and largest boas. This evening, your Tour Leader may be able to organise an optional visit to a typical 'Finca', where you can enjoy dinner prepared in a traditional family way.

Overnight: Standard Hotel

Included Meals:
Breakfast

4

In Turrialba with visit to an Aboriginal Ceremonial Center and optional rafting

A short bus journey takes us to the excavated Aboriginal Ceremonial Center at Guayabo. Dating from 1000 to 1400, this is one of the country's most important archaeological sites. Here, uncovered paved streets and water channels help us to understand about village life in that era. The rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish. You may choose to try whitewater rafting on the Pejibaye River and with grade II to III rapids (operates between May and November), this is a fun ride with plenty of birds to spot in the trees along the banks. Alternatively, you may choose to visit CATIE Research Centre (Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigscion y Ensenanza). Recognised throughout the world as an important agronomic station, its environmental development projects seek to enhance human wellbeing and protect natural resources. Its botanic garden is a special place to relax, surrounded by the calls of birds, the whisper of the giant Guanacaste Tree and the imposing Ceiba.

Overnight: Standard Hotel

Included Meals:
Breakfast

5

Drive and boat cruise through the jungle waterways to Tortugueroto

Our drive to Cano Blanco takes us through extensive banana plantations and we hope to stop at a banana packing station to understand more about this important Costa Rican industry. From Cano Blanco, a boat will take us to our spectacular lodge in the Tortuguero National Park, where we spend the next two nights. As we travel through a fascinating network of jungle waterways, it is easy to understand why this area is often described as a 'mini Amazon'. Its complex canal system and narrow lagoons link small isolated settlements and are rich in fish, including rainbow bass and grouper. They also support an abundance of birds, such as heron, stork and kingfisher. We will also take a short walking tour of the carless village of Tortugeuero. Our lodge is in an idyllic setting, perched on a small slither of land between the Caribbean Sea and the waterway.

Overnight: Standard LodgeSwimming Pool Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6

View turtles laying their eggs in Tortuguero National Park

To kick off our day, there is the option of a bird watching trip by boat at dawn. Amazingly, the country's 850 different species outnumber those found in the whole of Europe with stork, parrot and hummingbird being among the many birds to be spotted. Later this morning, a local guide will take us on a jungle trek to understand more about the area's unique ecosystem. It's amazing to think that 33% of the jungle's total biomass is made up of ants and termites. This afternoon, we will take to the waterways for further exploration and on our travels, we may come across the howler monkey, aptly named by the way it noisily protects its territory and if you are lucky, you may also see the elusive ocelots cat and jaguar. Throughout the year, you may be lucky enough to see different species of turtle nesting close to our lodge. The best time to see this spectacle is between June and September, when over five-thousand green, leatherback and the 700-pound loggerhead turtles come ashore to nest on Tortuguero's beaches. At this time of year, there is the option of an evening turtle walk to take in this spectacle.

Overnight: Standard LodgeSwimming Pool Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7

Visit La Tirimbina for a chocolate tour

Leaving our lodge this morning, we travel by boat back to Cano Blanco, before heading on to Puerto Viejo Sarapiqui. After lunch, we plan to visit La Tirimbina for a chocolate tour, where we learn about the natural and cultural history of the Cacao tree. We watch how the farmers convert the cacao fruit into chocolate with the possibility to taste the various types of handmade chocolate that is produced.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch

8

Drive to Arenal area via a nature reserve at the foot of an active volcano

This morning's drive skirts around the great central volcanic massif, passing through fertile farmlands that are rich with tropical crops. Soon we catch sight of the famous Arenal Volcano. This classic cone rising to 1,633 metres is covered by a tangled mass of vegetation on one side, while the other is starkly barren. Having remained dormant for hundreds of years, it erupted unexpectedly in 1968 destroying the small town of Tabacon on its west side. After this, it was known for its regular explosions which became a huge spectacle. However, since 2010, the volcano has gone quiet once more…but you never know when it will erupt again!.

This afternoon, we drive to the Mirador del Silencio Reserve, where we can enjoy a short nature trail observing endemic flora and fauna at the foot of the volcano. Brimming with giant trees, weird and wonderful plant species and a spectacular view of Arenal, it's no wonder that the reserve has featured in several films. These include 'The Congo', 'Spy Kids 2' and 'After Earth', starring Will Smith. Many species of fauna can also be seen here, including different types of snakes, howler monkeys and many species of birdlife. Our accommodation for the next two nights is in La Fortuna. The town was renamed after the 1968 eruption, when it was seen as being 'fortunate' that it was located on the eastern side of the volcano.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool Available

Included Meals:
None

9

In Arenal area with optional whitewater rafting or walking to a waterfall

Today has been left free to explore the area as you choose. There are local treks to waterfalls where you can take a dip, as well as along lava trails. For the thrill seekers, optional whitewater rafting is available (operates between May and November) and we recommend making the most of the local geothermal activity by enjoying an optional bathe in the nearby hot springs.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

10

Today we travel around Arenal Lake up into the cloud forest region of Monteverde - one of the most well-known places in Costa Rica to see wildlife. The last part of our journey is on bumpy roads, but we are rewarded with a two-night stay here to enjoy all that this area has to offer.

Perched on the Continental Divide between the Pacific and the Caribbean, it is thought that there has been indigenous habitation in Monteverde since 3000 BC. However, the turning point in its recent history came in 1950, when a group of pacifist Quakers from Alabama moved here to avoid subscription in the Korean War. They sought a lifestyle in a country in which they could embrace their peaceful beliefs and continue to cultivate their dairy farms. These families went on to establish the community of Monteverde and some of its famed cloud forest reserves. Lunch today is an interactive affair, allowing the kids to cook up a Costa Rican treat for the adults in the group. Once we are all fed and watered, we can look forward to an afternoon of optional activities. There is a butterfly farm and ecological farm to explore, as well as an orchid garden and frog pools. Your Tour Leader will be able to provide more information on the choices available. This evening, there is the opportunity to go on a guided night walk in search of nocturnal species, such as pacas and tarantulas.

Overnight: Standard Hotel

Included Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch

11

Visit Santa Elena Reserve with free time to try a canopy tour or wire walkways

The famous, but now very rare, resplendent quetzal can be seen in this area, one of the last remaining places in Central America where its habitat has been preserved. Sacred to the ancient Maya and Aztec people, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful birds in the world. This morning, we will have a guided tour of Santa Elena Reserve, where 90% of the species found in Monteverde can also be seen. Quieter and less touristy than its famous neighbour, our visit here gives us a good chance of spotting wildlife.

During our walk through this reserve, we will occasionally stop to watch the recordings of different trap cameras set up by the Santa Elena Conservation Project. These cameras are used to measure the number of times each animal visits an area and to study their behavior once there. The rest of our day is free to spend as you wish. Monteverde is regarded as offering some of the best canopy experiences in the world and you may choose to 'fly' through the dramatic scenery on a zip-wire, or take a more sedate walk through the canopy on treetop walkways. Alternatively, you may choose to explore one of the other private forest reserves in the area.

Overnight: Standard Hotel

Included Meals:
Breakfast

12

Drive to Manuel Antonio National Park along the Pacific coast

Leaving the cloud forest behind us this morning, we descend to the Pacific Coast where we enjoy staggering views over the Gulf and Peninsula of Nicoya. Heading south, we cross the Rio Tarcoles Bridge from which huge crocodiles are regularly seen. We then pause at Carara Biological Reserve, famed for the scarlet macaws and abundant birdlife which populate this transitional forest. Finally, we continue along the Pacific Coast to Manuel Antonio National Park, where we will spend the next two nights.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

13

In Manuel Antonio park area famed for its beautiful beaches and rich wildlife

This morning, we explore the Manuel Antonio National Park, famed for its beautiful beaches and rich wildlife. During our time in the park, we are likely to see white-faced capuchin monkeys, coatimundi (part of the racoon family) and the tiny squirrel monkeys. This is also one of the best places in Costa Rica to see sloths. The majority of a sloth's diet comes from buds and leaves but unfortunately leaves provide little energy and thus sloths move only when necessary and even then, very slowly. The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing on the white sandy beaches and enjoying a swim in the warm azure waters. The sunsets from this coast are spectacular and have to be seen to be believed.

Overnight: Standard HotelSwimming Pool Available

Included Meals:
Breakfast

14

Manuel Antonio National Park. Drive to San Jose

After a morning relaxing on the beach, we leave the Pacific Ocean at about midday. Our journey back to Costa Rica's capital will take about four hours.

Overnight: Standard Hotel

Included Meals:
Breakfast

15

Tour ends San Jose

Depending on your departure time today, you may wish to visit one of the several museums in town

Tour notes

Each departure date has it's own dedicated tour note, detailing all you need to know about that tour. Whether you've already booked, or weighing up your options, please choose carefully the relevant itinerary for you.

We have the following different versions of the Family Rainforest Adventure tour available at present.

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Why Book this tour

If you want a destination that is relatively untouched by mass tourism and your family want to be overwhelmed by a locations beauty and diversity, then Costa Rica is a great choice. The diversity of the country, including its landscapes and jungles are all absolutely breath taking. From rainforest to volcanoes to waterways and finally to beaches. This trip is active - you can try out white water rafting, rock jumping, zip wiring along a 1km wire high above the cloud forest, horseback riding and see and hear an active volcano and if you don't mind getting up close to frogs, spiders, bugs and monkeys then our 'Rainforest Adventure' holiday is for you.